Canada’s world junior hockey team trying to overcome injuries

Canada's world junior hockey team trying to overcome injuries

By Chris O’Leary

CALGARY — On one hand, Jonathan Huberdeau and Quinton Howden just received the ultimate sign of faith from the coaches of Canada’s world junior hockey team.

On the other hand, the two injured forwards who saw zero-to-limited action, in Huberdeau’s and Howden’s cases, respectively, during the three-day selection camp might not be as effective as head coach Don Hay and his staff are hoping when the tournament gets underway on Dec. 26 at Edmonton’s Rexall Place and Calgary’s Scotiabank Saddledome.

Huberdeau, a highly offensive player with 10 goals and 18 assists in 13 games this season with the Saint John Sea Dogs in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, is recovering from a broken foot.

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Howden, one of four veterans on the team, is day-to-day with what’s suspected to be a concussion, though Hay hasn’t confirmed the ailment. Howden was injured in the team’s second Red-White scrimmage on Monday night when he took a hard hit from Brett Connolly.

Howden scored 14 goals and 15 assists in 20 games with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League this season.

Both players were on the ice on Wednesday, skating in their Team Canada uniforms. It marked the first time in five weeks that Huberdeau was able to skate.

“They’re day-to-day and it’s kind of nice to see Jonathan out here just twirling around,” Hay said. “He’s really excited about the opportunity to skate.

“He’ll probably get a little more each day until he’s cleared to go and Howden is feeling really good and he’s just waiting for again, clearance. I think he’ll skate a little bit (on Thursday) and he’ll gradually get more time. We have to go day-to-day and evaluate everybody and see how things go.”

Huberdeau was indeed happy to be on the ice Wednesday, even if it was just for photo opportunities. As for the coach’s supposed leap of faith, he felt his resume speaks for itself.

“I think I proved myself at the Memorial Cup last year,” he said. “I had a good start at the start of the season and I think that they have confidence in me. I want to come back as soon as possible to get a good spot on the team.”

Howden took the opportunity to ensure that there were no hard feelings between himself and Connolly.

“I feel good. I’m just kind of taking things day-by-day, but I feel good. (Connolly’s hit is) part of the game.

“Me and Cono are good friends. Cono is a very competitive player, a very hard and skilled guy. He plays the game hard and was obviously just finishing his check. There’s no harm there. We made up that night. I can’t wait to get on the ice with him and get gold back.”

While Howden may just need to clear the cobwebs before he’s back to his normal self, Huberdeau presents a bigger challenge. Without having taken part in a game in almost two months, his lungs will need to catch up with the rest of his body when he finally gets in the lineup.

“For sure, it’s going to be hard when you don’t skate for five weeks, but I did a lot of work off the ice to get in shape,” he said. “I went in the pool and it was really good to help move my legs a little faster. It’s good for cardio and for my legs, too.”

Huberdeau said he was aware that he put himself at risk of being cut, at least in theory, because he was unable to suit up this week.

“I didn’t know if they’d see a player that they liked and if he had a really good game (I’d be cut),” he said. “But they had faith in me.”